Jerry Doucette-- Guitarist *Wrote Mama Let Him Play* An Inside Look 

Our band had pleasure of opening up for Gerry Doucette at the Wastelands in Victoria BC in the Mid-90s. Never carried an ego, he was a pretty laid back and talked with me before the show. Gave me a lot of helpful advice, even showed me a few of his classic riffs, a time which in my youth made a lasting impression on me.

Myself and 3 of my friends,went to see Doucette at the keystone in Berkeley, we snuck in during a soundcheck, nobody said anything, when Doucette was done with the soundcheck,we went over and bought him a beer.,we ended up playing foosball with him for about 15 minutes....the Guy was as humble as they came. We stuck around of course and watched the entire show! What a great memory....thanku Jerry!!

Bought that album when it first came out. Still play it to this day.

I bought the 1st album luved "Mama let him play" even though was 1 hit wonder this song is still played on the radio more often to this day. I never heard the 2nd album until this yr 2023 wow was amazed with "Futher on up the road" I played "Follow me" so much luv the mellow blues tune. Was sad reading of his passing now at my age 64 yrs old I still crank the volume up wen Mama let him play is on the air. R.I.P. Gerry

I was feeling nostalgic, reflecting on some previous bands and musicians I've played with over the years, when I came across this RU-vid video on Jerry Doucette. Back in 1985/86, I was in a band with a drummer who played with Jerry and did some session work. We were doing a local tour in British Columbia when Jim (our drummer) called up Jerry to come play a Friday/Saturday gig with us. Jerry came up to where we were playing in Prince George and put on two evenings of incredible music. I was a lead singer guitar player but happily took a backseat and just watched Jerry work the stage, the packed crowd and his guitar. I also met Jerry years later when he was spending more time with his family and had discovered Christian faith (an influence in his latter years). His dear wife Maggie, who he loved very much and was with for 43 years, was also such an anchor, support and positive influence in his life. His other hit song "All I Wanna Do" is a tribute to his wife and marriage. I'm just so sad that I didn't go and see Jerry one more time back in 2017/18 when he was playing locally in Kamloops, BC. Thank you again for honouring Jerry Doucette, his music and his extraordinary talent as a guitar player, singer, and Canadian songwriter. "Mamma let him play" ... now and forever 🙂

Thank you very much for featuring such a talented and under appreciated Canadian artist. I saw him play solo live in my northern Canadian city in 1982. He was a guitar player extraordinaire. All I Wanna Do was his other signature track.

As you, I cut my teeth with K-SHE (add in a sprinkling of K-ADI, KWK & K-SLQ for good measure) Love Doucette! Nothing like a Sunday morning in St.Lou.!!

We played the heck out of Mamma let him play back in the late 70s early 80s ! I grew up south of St. Louis.

My brother in law is in his mid 60’s and also grew up in St. Louis. He told me that when he played in cover bands during the 70’s and 80’s that every cover band played that song and he got burned on it. Now you don’t hear it much. How the times change.

“It’s gonna hurt so bad” is a nice song…..very nice vocal part too.

great musician. i listen kshe95 almost everday.

I got to see Gerry Doucette twice, once in his Canadian heyday in early 1979, and again in about 1990. In '79, I was grade 12 and the Mama Let Him Play album was the soundtrack of every party! We were all surprised and proud to find out he was Canadian! Saying his first album was "too rock for pop, and too pop for rock" I get, but is such a disservice, the whole album is great! Your comment that he left behind his wife Maggie immediately took me to the second cut off the album Back Off and the line "I've got my sweet Maggie, And she knows how to take good care of me." I guess you could say the same (too pop/too rock) about a few other bands; the Beatles, The Stones, Tom Petty, Bruce...but I digress. The second time I saw him was somewhat sad. He was doing a tour with Donnie McDougall, guitarist of The Guess Who fame. They were playing for about 20 people in the seediest bar in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Both were hitting the scotch pretty hard, but they still sounded good, although there were a few too many 5 minute blues solos. The highlight for me was when they played the Guess Who song Albert Flasher! My point is fame is a fickle mistress. The next time I saw Donnie McDougall, apparently hell had frozen over and Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings and the original Guess Who had reunited to play the closing ceremonies of the 1999 Pan Am games that were hosted in their hometown of Winnipeg. 50,000 fans! Thanks for honoring Jerry. He disserves the same renaissance.

I’m so glad you put this out . I played with Jer for over a decade . I was called the little big man . I learned so much from him . He’s a good Man .

as a 58 yr old Canadian i remember Jerry Doucette very well as well as other Canadian artists like Jeff Healey that you have covered .. thank you for recognizing some of the tremendous musical talent that has come out of Canada over the years

Thank you for this very beautiful homage to an artist I have only recently re-discovered. I saw a reaction to his big hit ''Mama Let Him Play'' which led to suggestions of a bunch of songs from him that I had almost forgotten. So grateful to those American DJs that helped the career of some great Canadian talent.

your vocal delivery is great. i am really digging your channel. i am a St Louisan

I bought The Douce Is Loose when it was released. Still have it. Run Buddy Run is a great song.

awesome doc ill check him out later tonight great content as always ty sir!

Great friend and touring friend !! RIP Dear Friend.

When "the Douce is Loose", came out. "Rita", got some airplay in Portland. He name checked a local record store. I picked the album up when it was new. Picked up "Mama Let Him Play", a few years later. And the clerk at that store said it was their store where he met Rita.

🔥THANK YOU🔥

I grew up in Tsawwassen BC in the 70's and knew a daughter of his. I went to his house one day to see if she was home and he answered the door, I almost forgot who I was there to see. 🙂 Nice guy. By the way Tsawwassen has an interesting history with rock and roll. Bands like Heart, Doucette, 54-40, and members of BTO. Fun times those 70's!

KSHE 95, Was the gold standard for rock radio stations in the late 60's to at least the mid 80's.

First time seeing your channel. Great work indeed! Thanks for creating and sharing. I had the privilege of meeting Jerry and filming him Calgary, Alberta. Super kind gentleman.

Thank You for posting R.D. grew up enjoying listening to clean music in 70's because of back then going thru all different types of music and Jerry's Song is Definitely on Top of my Clean up Living List always appreciated Band's that Promoted a cleaner way of living Life, i born and lived north of St,Lou and South East Fla have returned to home town and it's Great to have KSHE 94.5 STILL KICKING AZZ WHOOOOO LET'S PLAY SUM ROCKIN ROLL 😎

RIP JERRY

Thanks for this. One of the great things about Canadian radio regulations is that Canadian content is a must. Americans are deprived of some great Canadian Rock bands.

I have always been so proud that he grew up in my hometown of Hamilton. thanks for shining a spotlight on him!

I love that song and then a bought the album he is amazing. Great talent. Yeah I loved the good old fm radio stations.

I remember this tune growing up in Canada, it was way better than any other Canadian music at the time.

I got the Deuce is Loose shortly after it came out. Great album.

Hi, thanks for the video. I did not know that song from me, but I had more then 1 favorite song that I LOVED from him. So for me, with all do respect, it is not a one hit wonder artist.

Thanks so much for doing the video. I'm a subscriber now !

So many of the world's very best rock and roll performers, musicians, and songwriters come from Canada, period!

Saw him on a bill with Bob Welch in 78. Pretty good show

Thank you for a lil history on Jerry. Mamma Let Him Play ..was always the opening song of my brothers band over the years. Awesome song.

Interesting. Never heard of this guy till now. I learn a lot on this channel.

Never heard of this guy before! I went and listened to the title tune, it kinda reminded me of some early Doobie Brothers. Gonna have to invest some time going down the Doucette rabbit hole! Thanks RD!

Wow. BC boy here, I was in HS when Mama was released. Met Jerry in person at a festival in BC mid 90's. sweet guy, dedicated party animal. He signed T shirts, titties and pickup truck windows, enjoyed our shots and doobies! And rocked again the next night!!

Thanks for honoring him, and recognizing how great his second album was. I love the ballad "all I wanna do" - perfect late 70s breezy sound.

Thanks R/D ,I'll go back and give a listen. A lot of good ones got lost in those winds of musical change. Either ,a little too ahead of the curve or just missed the bus moving to another storm of sound. I also remember bands ,they said where too Black to be white and too white to be black. Take'er easy .

Must say, haven’t run into this guy before. Enjoyed the story, ill take a listen. And like all Canadian’s, I’m sure he was very polite🎸

Didn't know who this was... Until this video? And now, I'm gonna check some more of his stuff out! So thank you for turning me on to this artist. I'm somewhat of a new subscriber. Working my way through your videos! So far, so great man...

HEY River Doc's!!! some very good guitar players [musician's] came out of Canida! the 1st album was very confusing so much so i didn't buy the 2nd! another good one for you! last live stream thunder storm came thru and knocked out power!!! caught maybe 15 minutes🙃 when's the next one?

I just listened to his hit tune. He does sing with a slight Quebecois accent.

Great video!! You don't hear to many people talking about Jerry. Thanks!

Very interesting. Thx 4 your dedication to one of the most precious things that keep us alive and bring joy to life - music. 💜🤘🏿🌞🤘🏿💜

I hadn't heard of him either, a shame tho, really talented guy! "too pop for the rockers, and too rock for the poppers!" Lol, very interesting Doc, Thanks!✌

Tswasan, probably spelt that wrong, is a suburb of Vancouver really. Main thing there is the ferry terminal to Vancouver Island. I'm amazed you said it correctly. Most people don't get close.

Great channel i realy enjoy the versatility in the featured artists . Quite surprised you chose Doucette! That was completely out of left field! I remember hearing one of Doucette 's other hits and I agree there was too much disparity between styles hence the lack of musical classification which didn't help much. The only successful singer guitarist I could ever call from Montreal would be Frank Marino and possibly Michael Pagliaro. Keep up the great work

I'm from Montreal as well and even though Doucette was a great artist and a good lead player, I honestly can say he really only had one hit. I'm not saying he was only worth that one hit but some artists just don't gravitate to gold and platinum and play for 30,000 sold out shows! Gerry came in very late and walked into the bar at the last call!

I always thought BTO done this song

A long time ago I heard it said he tended to shoot himself in the foot. His ego got too big and he'd run off his mouth at the wrong people. One of my friends in Victoria was his cousin if memory serves correct.

I saw Jerry many times. Record company issues killed his career. I prefer his debut album. I like all the different styles.

I played a game of pool against Jerry and he won the game. But I couldn't believe the stature of the man while his guitar looked tiny. but my friends & I had a party at a roadhouse in Edmonton Canada. sorry to hear RIP- Jerry Doucette